The Components of The DirectTV Installation

DirectTV Installation usually consists of three main components, all of which need careful attention when trying to set-up your DirectTV system. Everyone has different levels of skills and technical know-how, and often installations are best left to the experts. If you don't feel comfortable with the prospect of installing the Satellite Dish on the outside of your house, then threading a RG6 Coaxial cable to your AV equipment, and then setting up and programming the DirectTV Receiver... you may want to give your local DirectTV service center a call and have them do the installation for you.

DirectTV Install Information For Do-it-Yourselfers

In order to install your DirectTV system, you need to know what size and what type of dish you'll need for your coverage area. It's suggested that you speak with your local authorized reseller of DirectTV systems to get the equipment that's right for you.

Installing the dish really isn't all that bad. You'll need to know how to install and mount the dish, but the dish is typically small and oval and very light-weight. When you mount your dish, keep in mind that the location and direction are both VERY important in getting the best picture quality. Make sure to survey your property and place the dish in the general direction of the state of Texas and point the dish between 30 to 60 degrees up in the air. Also ensure that the dish is close to your house since you'll need to run a RG6 coaxial cable from the dish to your receiver.

Hooking up The Coaxial Cable

Keep in mind that the further the dish is from your house, the more shielded coaxial cable you'll need. For some it's a trade off of aesthetics vs. economics. A dish further from the home may or may not look better, but it will certainly cost more to run the coaxial cable, which is why it's suggested to place the dish close to the house. For proper shielding, it's highly recommended to use Quad Shield cables for the outdoor cables. If budget is a concern, you can go with Dual Shield inside the house. Many of the newer homes have structured wiring, making the installation of the coax a breeze. Simply run the coax from your dish to the central hook-up on your structured wiring and you're done.

Hooking up The DirectTV Receiver

Finally, the last (and most rewarding) step in the process... hooking up your DirectTV Receiver! Once you hook up the coax to your DirectTV receiver, you'll need to point the dish to the coordinates that appear on the menu of the DirectTV recover unit. Follow the onscreen instructions until you have the unit pointing to the direct coordinates. Once you do, it's time to enjoy your satellite television experience! Note that you may need to refer to the instructions that came with your Audio Video Receiver to complete the installation correctly to pump the audio through your stereo and get video switching.

Once you've done one installation of a DirectTV system, it's pretty much the same process for every one. It's really not that difficult, but it does take some patience. In the end, self-installation of your own equipment can be rewarding. It's only suggested you take on the self-install project if you really have a strong technical background and don't mind getting your hands dirty. For everyone else, call your local satellite retailer and ask them about their DirectTV installation options.